A year ago, when ministry of home affairs proposed Maharashtra director-general of police (DGP) Subodh Jaiswal's name to Election Commission of India as New Delhi police chief, it was assumed he would succeed Amulya Patnaik, who was retiring on January 31, 2020. NDA government felt Jaiswal was a competent and honest officer to tackle law and order in New Delhi, particularly in view of the assembly elections there.
Jaiswal was in two minds, and following requests from colleagues and ruling political leadership, he continued as DGP. Now, it appears he is regretting his decision. Peace eluded him over postings and transfers. When a new chief minister takes over, it is commonplace that he has IAS and IPS officers of his choice.
Jaiswal had felt that instead of an IPS overhaul, only officers who completed two-year tenures should be shifted. He had suggested that tainted officers should not be given plum assignments.
As per convention, Jaiswal had submitted a list of IPS officers eligible for transfer. The home department was expected to take note of his suggestions. But when the final list was released by the department, controversial IPS officials were given plum assignments and Jaiswal's list was ignored.
Stunned by the approach, Jaiswal searched for central deputation, then he sought an NOC from the state government for taking up a central assignment. It was granted in record time. Soon, he will join as director-general of Central Industrial Security Force.
Nail-free trees
Minister of state for home Bunty Patil has embarked on a new campaign: Kolhapur of Nail-Free Trees. On his morning walk, Patil found that hundreds of nails are punched into tree for putting up banners and hoardings of leading politicians, iron angles and advertisements of firms for promotion of products. He took the help of the municipal corporation for removal of nails and he was later joined by a record 50 NGOs and more than 1,000 people.
He told KMC to issue an order to provide for punishment to those putting nails on trees. Patil feels it injures the tree and adversely impacts environment and conservation.
Patil said it should be implemented across the state.